Fort Patrick Henry Dam dam
Fort Patrick Henry Dam
Fort Patrick Henry Dam, located in Kingsport, Tennessee, is a key structure managed by the Tennessee Valley Authority for flood risk reduction along the South Fork Holston River. Completed in 1953, this concrete gravity dam stands at 90 feet tall and spans 625 feet in length, with a hydraulic height of 83 feet. The dam's primary purpose is flood risk reduction, but it also serves for hydroelectric power generation, recreation, and water supply, showcasing its multi-functional importance in the region.
With a storage capacity of 31,728 acre-feet and a maximum discharge of 164,000 cubic feet per second, Fort Patrick Henry Dam plays a crucial role in managing water resources in the area. The dam's controlled spillway, Tainter radial outlet gates, and high hazard potential highlight the engineering complexity and risk management measures in place. Although the condition assessment is not available, the dam's risk assessment indicates a very high risk level, warranting regular inspections and emergency action planning to ensure public safety and water security for the surrounding community.
The dam's association with the Tennessee Valley Authority underscores its federal ownership and oversight, emphasizing the importance of collaboration between government agencies in water resource management. Fort Patrick Henry Dam not only stands as a symbol of engineering excellence but also serves as a reminder of the intricate balance between water infrastructure, climate resilience, and the protection of natural resources in the face of evolving environmental challenges.
Plan around the weather
Same NOAA / yr.no feed Snoflo's iOS app uses. Watch the precipitation column on the meteogram -- rain on the basin upstream typically lifts inflow 24-72 hours later.
Next 5 days, hour by hour
Temperature line with weather symbols on top, snow + rain accumulation as columns, humidity as a dotted line.
5-day forecast table
Every 3 hours, broken out across temperature, snow, rain, humidity, and wind. Each cell is colour-coded relative to the column min/max.
| Time | Condition | Temp (°F) | Snow (in) | Rain (in) | Humidity (%) | Wind (mps) | Wind dir |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loading detailed forecast… | |||||||
15-day temperature & precipitation
Daily temperatures, snow, and rain projected over the next two weeks.
Nearby streamflow gauges
USGS streamgauges around Fort Patrick Henry Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| N F Holston River Near Gate City | 261 cfs | → |
| Clinch River At Speers Ferry | 733 cfs | → |
| Watauga River At Elizabethton | 460 cfs | → |
| Doe River At Elizabethton | 293 cfs | → |
| Big Limestone Creek Near Limestone | 192 cfs | → |
| Nolichucky River At Embreeville | 2,020 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Fort Patrick Henry Dam.
Boat launches
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Campgrounds
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Fishing spots
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River runs
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More reservoirs
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About Fort Patrick Henry Dam
Where does the data for Fort Patrick Henry Dam come from?
Structural and regulatory data come from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' National Inventory of Dams (NID). Weather forecast comes from NOAA / yr.no -- the same feed Snoflo's iOS app uses.
How often is the report updated?
NID structural data refreshes annually as the Corps publishes updated assessments. The weather forecast refreshes throughout the day.
What does the High hazard rating mean?
The Corps of Engineers' hazard potential classification grades probable consequences if the dam fails: High = probable loss of human life; Significant = no probable loss of human life but possible economic loss / environmental damage; Low = no probable loss of human life, only minor economic / environmental losses. See the Dam Data Reference card below for the full definitions.
What's "% of normal"?
The current storage value compared to the historical average storage on this calendar day. 100% = right on average; values above 100% mean above-normal storage (wet year); values below mean below-normal (dry year or drought).
Can I get alerts when storage crosses a threshold?
Yes -- alerts are managed in the Snoflo iOS app. Favorite this dam, set a threshold, and you'll get a push the moment conditions cross.
Dam data reference
Condition Assessment
- Satisfactory
- No existing or potential dam safety deficiencies are recognized. Acceptable performance is expected under all loading conditions (static, hydrologic, seismic) in accordance with the minimum applicable state or federal regulatory criteria or tolerable risk guidelines.
- Fair
- No existing dam safety deficiencies are recognized for normal operating conditions. Rare or extreme hydrologic and/or seismic events may result in a dam safety deficiency. Risk may be in the range to take further action.
- Poor
- A dam safety deficiency is recognized for normal operating conditions which may realistically occur. Remedial action is necessary. POOR may also be used when uncertainties exist as to critical analysis parameters which identify a potential dam safety deficiency.
- Unsatisfactory
- A dam safety deficiency is recognized that requires immediate or emergency remedial action for problem resolution.
- Not Rated
- The dam has not been inspected, is not under state or federal jurisdiction, or has been inspected but, for whatever reason, has not been rated.
Hazard Potential Classification
- High
- Dams assigned the high hazard potential classification are those where failure or mis-operation will probably cause loss of human life.
- Significant
- Dams assigned the significant hazard potential classification are those dams where failure or mis-operation results in no probable loss of human life but can cause economic loss, environmental damage, disruption of lifeline facilities, or impact other concerns. Significant hazard potential classification dams are often located in predominantly rural or agricultural areas but could be in areas with population and significant infrastructure.
- Low
- Dams assigned the low hazard potential classification are those where failure or mis-operation results in no probable loss of human life and low economic and/or environmental losses. Losses are principally limited to the owner's property.
- Undetermined
- Dams for which a downstream hazard potential has not been designated or is not provided.